Rarely had more pressure been placed on an Oscar telecast. The Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had the burden of trying to keep ratings
from falling, while celebrating films that have, for the most part, not
been widely seen. The ceremony was expected to acknowledge the appalling
sexual harassment scandals that have engulfed Hollywood in recent months —
and then go back to gazing lovingly at the history of moviemaking to mark
Oscar’s 90th birthday.

Some speeches highlighted diversity and the hope that many have for the
future of Hollywood. Other speeches were succinct, thanking family and
loved ones and avoiding controversy.

Here are four lessons from celebrities’ prepared remarks during Hollywood’s
biggest night:

1. Make your call to action specific.

When Frances McDormand won for her lead performance in “Three Billboards
Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” she demanded attention, quipping that if she
fell over from nerves someone should pick her up, “because I got something
to say.”

She asked all of the night’s female nominees to stand, offering a striking
visual for her speech, and then demanded that studio executives ask those
women about projects they would like to get made. The move was reminiscent
of other speeches that used human props,
including the 2018 State of the Union
address.

Her speech concluded with the phrase: “inclusion rider,” making a short and
specific call to action for anyone listening who had the power to change
Hollywood’s gender parity problem.

2. Celebrate your progress.

On a night when many stars used the platform to highlight inequality, it
was a welcome relief when the crowd could applaud diversity.

The winners of the award for Best Original Song, the songwriting team from
Disney’s “Coco,” pointed out that their category was not only diverse but
also close to 50/50 gender representation.

By pointing out the progress represented in the category, the speakers gave
the audience a chance to revel in the progress already achieved and paint a
hopeful picture for future awards shows.

“I stopped writing this movie about 20 times because I thought it was
impossible. I thought it wasn’t going to work,” Peele said. “I thought no
one would ever make this movie. But I kept coming back to it because I knew
if someone let me make this movie, that people would hear it and people
would see it.”

By painting a vivid picture of his own travails, he drew an inspirational
arc for others facing seemingly insurmountable odds. “Get Out” was one of
the few nominated films to garner high-volume ticket sales, and Peele
thanked the fans in his address.

The Post continued:

“To everyone who went and saw this movie, everybody who bought a ticket,
who told somebody to buy a ticket, thank you. I love you for shouting out
at the theater, for shouting out at the screen. Let’s keep going.”

4. Appeal to people’s self-interest.

Although many of the night’s messages involved preening and posturing, one
actor spoke directly to studio heads.

After treading lightly all night, Ashley Judd, Salma Hayek and Annabella
Sciorra presented a filmed piece about how women and people of color have
been able to break through this year at the cinema.

While Geena Davis, Greta Gerwig, Ava Duvernay, and Lee Daniels offered some
inspiration, Kumail Nanjani had the bit of advice that will persuade most
Hollywood suits. Noting how pictures starring women and people of color are
killing it at the box office he said, "Don't [make these movies] because
it's good for society. Do it to get rich! You'll get that promotion."

With a dash of humor, Nanjani pointed out the benefits for everyone in a
more diverse Hollywood.